Does Social Media Help or Hinder The Me Too Movement?

For the past three years, I've been living my life in full view of an online audience as I pour my personal experiences and growth into articles and social media from my perspective as a fashion stylist and body positive women’s empowerment advocate. And the strangest thing happened — I didn’t receive any negative comments. In a digital world of fat-shaming, shade-throwing and bullying, how is it even possible to use social media as a medium to foster community? Here’s how...

Take a step back and brace yourself for a reality check...

Accept the fact that in this virtual version of 'keeping up with the Joneses' - you are comparing your everyday life to everyone else’s 'highlight reel' and the only natural reaction to that is tendancy towards a more negative cycle of jealousy. Scroll through your posts for visual reminders of the times you played along by sharing a photo or accomplishment as a way to one-up another person’s achievements. Now make a conscious effort to retire from this game in person and online, and look to my next point.

Embrace your authentic self...

Embrace yourself and all your imperfections, and, in return, you’ll become a better friend to yourself. If things were truly perfect, your job was perfect, and all of your relationships were perfect, what motivation would you have to push forward in life? We grow with each challenge life throws our way. Evolving the ways in which you handle each challenge is something we all need to work on. And remind yourself, just because life isn’t totally to our personal definitions of 'perfect', doesn't mean you can’t enjoy all the positives you do have and be happy. The only way to truly value your strengths is to be vulnerable and own your weaknesses, as one day, they in turn may become your strengths.

Start modeling good behavior...

This may be a little uncomfortable, but now that you know better, do better. Scroll past the negative posts and don't engage with internet trolls. Work on becoming a radical vehicle for change and women’s empowerment simply by being vulnerable - and remember everyone is essentially vulnerable underneath all the veneer and gloss of social media. Show people you are human just like them by sharing your wins and losses. People will not only thank you for it, but they’ll actually rally around you with support and return the favor by sharing their similar experiences. The #MeToo movement serves as an example of how resilient women take to social media to foster community and spread awareness. Even though the movement is a reaction to bad behavior, it has already led to policy changes that protect women and positive shifts in social norms. Look to the more recent #TimesUp tag too to see how social media is rallying to support and stand up for women.

So, next time you find yourself sucked into negativity online, remember the lesson your mother taught you — "birds of a feather flock together" and apply that concept to cultivating relationships with like-minded people online and it will show you a whole new side to connecting online with others.